UNESCO AfriMAB-GRÓ LRT Land Restoration Fellowships 2026

Illustrative Image: UNESCO AfriMAB-GRÓ LRT Land Restoration Fellowships 2026
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The UNESCO AfriMAB-GRÓ LRT Land Restoration Fellowships 2026 are now open for applications, offering African biosphere reserve professionals a unique opportunity to strengthen their expertise in ecosystem restoration and sustainable land management.

Hosted at a UNESCO Category 2 Centre in Iceland, the GRÓ Land Restoration Training Programme (GRÓ LRT) is one of the world’s leading capacity-building platforms dedicated to land restoration. In 2026, at least two fully funded fellowships will be awarded to professionals actively engaged in ecological restoration across Africa’s biosphere reserves.

This fellowship provides intensive, hands-on postgraduate-level training in Iceland and equips participants with cutting-edge scientific knowledge, practical skills, and an international professional network. Ultimately, it aims to empower African environmental leaders to bring home innovative solutions to land degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate change challenges.

About UNESCO

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) works to build peace through education, culture, science, and knowledge-sharing. By fostering global cooperation, UNESCO promotes the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set out in the UN’s Agenda 2030. The AfriMAB-GRÓ LRT Fellowships are closely aligned with these goals, particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land), as they aim to restore degraded ecosystems, preserve biodiversity, and strengthen community resilience.

UNESCO’s guiding principle is that peace and sustainable development must be built on dialogue, knowledge exchange, and the intellectual solidarity of humanity—not just political or economic agreements.

About the AfriMAB-GRÓ LRT Land Restoration Fellowships

The GRÓ LRT Programme is hosted at the Agricultural University of Iceland. Each year, it gathers professionals from around the globe for a six-month residential course in ecosystem restoration and sustainable land management.

The programme is practice-oriented and combines:

• Academic Coursework – exploring ecological theories and restoration science.

• Field Training – with real-world exposure to Iceland’s innovative land reclamation projects.

• Individual Projects – tailored research or case studies designed in collaboration with participants’ home institutions, ensuring direct impact upon return.

Aim and Benefits

The fellowship’s overarching aim is to build local capacity in African biosphere reserves, enabling professionals to combat land degradation and foster sustainable livelihoods.

Benefits include:

• Full tuition and academic expenses.

• Round-trip international travel.

• Comprehensive health insurance.

• A monthly stipend to cover living costs during the programme.

• A Postgraduate Diploma in Ecosystem Restoration and Sustainable Land Management (30 ECTS) upon completion.

Fellows also become part of the GRÓ LRT alumni network, a growing community of environmental professionals committed to global ecological restoration.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the 2026 AfriMAB-GRÓ LRT Fellowships, candidates must:

• Hold a prominent professional role in ecosystem restoration within a biosphere reserve.

• Possess at least one relevant university degree (e.g., in ecology, environmental science, or natural resource management).

• Have a minimum of one year of experience working in a biosphere reserve.

• Demonstrate English language proficiency.

• Be under 40 years old (exceptions may be made for those with extensive, relevant experience in lieu of a degree).

In addition, candidates’ home institutions must:

• Approve a six-month study leave.

• Guarantee continuation of salary/benefits during the fellowship.

• Ensure that the fellow returns to their role after training, applying the skills acquired.

Fellowship Structure

• First 12 weeks: Coursework, lectures, seminars, and field visits across Iceland, focusing on soil conservation, land restoration, water management, biodiversity, and sustainable land use.

• Final 12 weeks: An independent project designed in collaboration with the fellow’s home institution, ensuring results that are relevant and immediately applicable in their country.

Application Process

• Deadline: 15 September 2025

• How to Apply: Submit your application via the official GRÓ LRT online portal (www.grocentre.is).

Applications must include:

1. A Letter of Motivation (outlining goals and expected impact).

2. A Curriculum Vitae (CV).

3. Endorsement from your biosphere reserve.

4. Endorsement from your national MAB Focal Point or MAB Committee.

Applications will be jointly reviewed by GRÓ LRT and the UNESCO MAB Secretariat. Only complete applications that meet all requirements will be considered.

✨ In summary, the AfriMAB-GRÓ LRT Fellowships provide more than just training—they are a capacity-building pathway for African biosphere reserve professionals to become leaders in ecological restoration. By investing in human resources and scientific expertise, UNESCO and GRÓ LRT are empowering Africa to build resilient landscapes, protect biodiversity, and secure sustainable livelihoods for future generations.